Brian Coberger pleaded guilty to the murder of four University of Idaho students
The plea deal ensures that Coberger avoids the possibility of a trial and death sentence for the murder of four University of Idaho students.
The relatives of one of four University of Idaho students who were murdered by Brian Coberger in 2022 delivered a surprising message at the July 23rd ruling hearing. It’s the forgiveness of the murderer of their loved ones.
“Brian, I say I’ve forgiven you because I’m here to be here today, because I can no longer live with that hatred in my heart. And to make me a better person, I’ve forgiven you,” said Kim Kernoodle, aunt of Xana Kernoodle, one of Kohberger’s four students.
The comments were many from the loved ones of the victims who gave them tearful reflections about the impact the murder had on their lives. Some spoke about how fear and sadness bother them every day. Several blamed Kohberger, calling him “pathetic”, “sociopath”, and “a complete joke.”
Still, Xana Kernoodle’s mother, Cara Northinton, also told Kohberger that her faith gave her the power to provide him with forgiveness.
“Jesus allowed me to forgive you for being sorry or for murdering my daughter without asking for this,” she said. “I will not fear you, nor will you even borrow space in my head. This forgiveness has freed me from any evil you have given me and my family.”
At the end of the hearing, Coberger refused to provide a statement. The judge then sentenced four consecutive life sentences, plus 10 years and a fine of $270,000 for the robbery.
Kohberger’s verdict poses a nationwide manhunt and crashes into the quiet university town of Moscow, nearly three years after a student was stabbed to death in a rental house near the University of Idaho campus.
Earlier this month, Kohberger pleaded guilty to the murder and accepted a contract from the prosecutor, which consists of four consecutive life sentences. The judicial agreement that divided the victims’ families allowed him to avoid the death penalty and a highly publicized trial.
Prosecutors said Coberger, a criminal justice student at the time of the murder, had long planned the attack that killed Madison Morgen. Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; Ethan Chapin, 20. Investigators said DNA evidence, cell phone records and surveillance footage stabbed Kohberger and linked him to the wound.
Contributed by N’Dea Yancey Bragg and Jeanine Santucci
